Melee breaks out at Toowoomba pub involving 10 people

Peter Hardwick
Reporter
Peter started in 1976 as apprentice typesetter/comp and has 32 years with The Chronicle in three stints (in between working/holidays in UK/Europe, Brisbane and Melbourne). Entered editorial from comp room in 1996.

GETTING involved in a melee at an inner-city pub proved a very expensive night out for Toowoomba man Joshua Michael Putland.

The 27-year-old had been out with friends when one of his group may have accidentally knocked over some drinks at The Office in Duggan St about 12.05am on February 16.

When a man and his girlfriend from another table started arguing with his friend, Putland had stood and pushed the man who fell backwards over a table and spilt drinks, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

As a melee ensued involving eight or 10 people, Putland had punched the victim man in the face a number of times, police prosecutor Senior Constable Julia Wheaton told the court.

He pleaded guilty to common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm.

His solicitor Claire Graham told the court her client had already suffered financial loss from the incident having been handed infringement notices for public nuisance and a licenced premises offence totalling $1400.

Her client and his partner were considering returning to his partner's native Wales and asked that no conviction be recorded so those plans might not be put in jeopardy, Ms Graham submitted.

Magistrate Bruce Schemioneck acceded to the submission and ordered no convictions be recorded.

However, he added another $1500 fine to the defendant's expenses for the night.